Dee, thanks for this. When I joined the Navy at age 22, I weighed 165 lbs. All the guys in my family are lean with ultrafast metabolisms. As kids, marriage, and age came along, I settled in around 190 lbs. That slowly crept up, and I am sitting at 230 now. I have known for a while that it is not good for me. I did drink some when younger but have been sober for some time now. Food on the other hand has always been an issue. When you have a great metabolism and never gain weight you develop unhealthy relationships with food. As I got higher in rank and the responsibilities got greater, my eating also got worse as I turned to food to give me a degree of comfort in an otherwise really challenging life. I retire from the Navy next month. Healthy eating and exercise are a big part of my retirement plan. I need to do something so I am still around when my grandkids are here and I need to have some energy to play with them. Thanks for this.
I grew up most of my life but eating and burning everything in sight! It does set unreasonable expectations for sure. Best of luck in retirement and thank you for your service 🙏
Having head and neck cancer and not being able to eat nor drink places a whole different level of food relations on a person. I enjoyed this - Thankyou ! As a trained winemaker who can’t and doesn’t drink anymore I can honestly say burning calories from alcohol takes it toll - I was constantly weighing up benefits of drinking 🥂
Great, post, Dee. I too gained weight when I got sober, and though that was a long time ago, I still haven't mastered my relationship with food, especially sugar. Progress, not perfection, I guess.
Dee, this might be the best thing I have yet read from you - heck, one of the best things I have read on-line period. Vital, encouraging, yet honest (as always). A fantastic article!
Hi Dee, thanks for subscribing to my stack (The Beetle Rodeo, Apocalyptic Ecstasy...)
I reached the end of alcohol consumption by way of the self-destructive behavior drinking induced. Two beers is all it took for absolutely awful behavior (mainly compulsive sex) to seem like the greatest idea ever. Marriage and monogamy would be impossible eventually; my wife drew a hard line, and once I agreed I knew alcohol had to go.
Like you I substituted food. Like you my youthful metabolism burned off everything. I could eat all I wanted and not gain a pound. Until I was about 45. Suddenly I went from underweight (5’10” 145 lbs) to FAT (210 lbs). I’m stable at 165 now largely due to intermittent fasting: only eating between 10 am and 6 pm. The pounds dropped over 4 months. I still eat things which aren’t the healthiest (big bacon cheeseburger with fries, ice cream, potato chips etc) but as an occasional indulgence iso a regular habit. It has been a total game changer for me.
Your writing is splendid, and I hope to get to know you better. If you desire that too contact me at thecormorant@proton.me
Dee, thanks for this. When I joined the Navy at age 22, I weighed 165 lbs. All the guys in my family are lean with ultrafast metabolisms. As kids, marriage, and age came along, I settled in around 190 lbs. That slowly crept up, and I am sitting at 230 now. I have known for a while that it is not good for me. I did drink some when younger but have been sober for some time now. Food on the other hand has always been an issue. When you have a great metabolism and never gain weight you develop unhealthy relationships with food. As I got higher in rank and the responsibilities got greater, my eating also got worse as I turned to food to give me a degree of comfort in an otherwise really challenging life. I retire from the Navy next month. Healthy eating and exercise are a big part of my retirement plan. I need to do something so I am still around when my grandkids are here and I need to have some energy to play with them. Thanks for this.
I feel yeah sir 🫡
I grew up most of my life but eating and burning everything in sight! It does set unreasonable expectations for sure. Best of luck in retirement and thank you for your service 🙏
Keep us posted.
Absolutely, will do.
Having head and neck cancer and not being able to eat nor drink places a whole different level of food relations on a person. I enjoyed this - Thankyou ! As a trained winemaker who can’t and doesn’t drink anymore I can honestly say burning calories from alcohol takes it toll - I was constantly weighing up benefits of drinking 🥂
Thanks for sharing Yvonne. Wowzers—that’ll change your relationship to food. Glad you’re OK now?! 🙏
Better but eating for good gut biome is challenging - Thankyou 😍
Great, post, Dee. I too gained weight when I got sober, and though that was a long time ago, I still haven't mastered my relationship with food, especially sugar. Progress, not perfection, I guess.
Indeed it is Chris. Thanks for weighing in. 🙏
Dee, this might be the best thing I have yet read from you - heck, one of the best things I have read on-line period. Vital, encouraging, yet honest (as always). A fantastic article!
Dude that’s high praise coming from such a well-read lad as yourself.
I appreciate you reading it. 🙏
I gotta poke the bear but I try to do it through my own stumbling journey.
Hi Dee, thanks for subscribing to my stack (The Beetle Rodeo, Apocalyptic Ecstasy...)
I reached the end of alcohol consumption by way of the self-destructive behavior drinking induced. Two beers is all it took for absolutely awful behavior (mainly compulsive sex) to seem like the greatest idea ever. Marriage and monogamy would be impossible eventually; my wife drew a hard line, and once I agreed I knew alcohol had to go.
Like you I substituted food. Like you my youthful metabolism burned off everything. I could eat all I wanted and not gain a pound. Until I was about 45. Suddenly I went from underweight (5’10” 145 lbs) to FAT (210 lbs). I’m stable at 165 now largely due to intermittent fasting: only eating between 10 am and 6 pm. The pounds dropped over 4 months. I still eat things which aren’t the healthiest (big bacon cheeseburger with fries, ice cream, potato chips etc) but as an occasional indulgence iso a regular habit. It has been a total game changer for me.
Your writing is splendid, and I hope to get to know you better. If you desire that too contact me at thecormorant@proton.me
Cool! Thanks for sharing part of your journey. I’m holding steady these days too 🙏